Millions of children and adults have their teeth knocked out every year. What you may not realize, though, is that the tooth isn’t always lost for good. In many cases, the tooth can be replanted so that you can continue to enjoy a completely natural smile with all of your original teeth. Of course, the success of tooth replantation depends on your ability to act quickly and decisively during a dental emergency in Saratoga. Once the worst happens and you find yourself with a gap in your mouth, follow these 5 steps in order to preserve the tooth until you can receive proper medical attention.
1. Find the Tooth and Pick It Up by the Crown
Obviously, before anything else, you need to locate the lost tooth as soon as possible. Be careful not to step on it by accident while searching. Once you’ve found it, pick it up by the chewing surface, also known as the crown. Under no circumstances should you directly touch the root; you might inadvertently kill the remaining cells that are needed for replantation.
2. Rinse Off Any Dirt and Debris
Examine the tooth carefully. Does it still look clean, or are there spots of dirt visible? You can rinse off any debris you find, but you need to be very gentle. Never try cleaning a tooth with soap or chemicals; only use water, and be very gentle when doing so. Once you’re done rinsing, do not scrub the tooth or try it off. In particular, you shouldn’t wrap it in a tissue or a cloth, as that could have the same effect as touching the root.
3. Attempt to Put the Tooth Back in Its Socket
The best place to store a tooth is in the socket it originally came from. You can try gently pushing it in with your fingers, but holding it in place and slowly closing your mouth can work as well.
4. Make Sure the Tooth Stays Moist
If the tooth won’t go back into its socket, you need to find a way to prevent it from drying out. You can store it in your cheek, or you can place it in a glass of milk. You might consider getting an emergency tooth preservation kit. Never use water, as the cells on the roots won’t be able to tolerate it.
5. See Your Endodontist Right Away
There’s an extremely limited window of time to see your endodontist in Saratoga to have your tooth replanted. If possible, try to get to the office within 30 minutes. Replantation can still be attempted after that period of time, but the sooner you arrive at the practice, the better.
Losing a tooth can be a frightening experience, but as long as you stay calm and follow the correct steps, you can take control of the situation and give yourself the best chance of keeping your natural smile intact.
About Endodontic Associates Saratoga
At Endodontic Associates Saratoga, three skilled and highly trained endodontists put their decades of hands-on experience to use rescuing infected or lost teeth and eliminating dental pain. They offer same-day emergency care for patients with urgent problems that need to be addressed immediately. If you lose a tooth, get in touch with us immediately by calling (408) 255-6511. For less urgent issues, you can contact us through our website.
